Crunchy, soft or lickable: pet treat preferences
by Diana Dominguez
A new survey finds that price, health benefits, and natural ingredients are the key factors driving purchases in the category.
Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) pet owners give treats mainly to make their pets happy, according to a new survey from Loop-Yummypets. Among dog owners, 65% see treats primarily as a reward. Among cat owners, the same share (65%) views them as a sign of affection.
The survey was conducted in July 2025 of 2,486 people across France, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and the US.
When and which treats
The data reveals that almost all pets receive treats at least once a week. But dogs are given treats more frequently: 63% are given daily, compared to 51% of cats.
In addition, 74% of cats and 55% of dogs are given wet food as a treat between meals. Notably, more women and older pet owners give their pets treats daily.
Crunchy treats, including dry snacks, biscuits and bites, are most commonly given to dogs at 65%, followed by dental (64%) and soft, chewy treats (60%).
Among cats, lickable treats such as creamy puree or paste are most popular at 64%, followed by crunchy (62%) and soft, chewy treats (52%).
Price and health benefits
Price (45%) is the most important factor pet owners look at when purchasing treats, followed by specific health benefits (42%) and natural ingredients (41%).
This is most notable among Gen Z, with over half (52%) valuing price the most, followed by Millennials (46%) and Boomers (43%).
The survey also found differences by gender, with women (47%) more likely to focus on price than men (43%).
Regional differences
North American pet owners lead in treat-giving, with about 7 in 10 giving their pets treats daily, followed by Europeans at 59% and Latin American pet owners at 42%.
In Europe, 62% of pet owners give their pets treats to make them happy, while in North America, 66% do so to reward them and show affection. In Latin America, 59% also give treats to make their pets happy.
When it comes to treat types, crunchy treats are the most popular among dog owners in the US and Brazil, at 76% and 75% respectively, while those in Mexico and the UK prefer dental ones, at 65% each.
Meanwhile, lickable and crunchy treats are the most popular among cat owners overall, especially in the United States (79% for lickables and 74% for crunchy) and in Brazil (77% and 69% respectively). The exceptions are France and Mexico, where soft and chewy treats are more popular.
Fonte: globalpetindustry.com
